Size limits

Each file (including cover image files) should be less than 2 GB in size.

The book should be at least four pages long.

Format-specific guidelines

PDF

The PDF file must consist of the complete book (or be one of a set of specially named multi-part files). Do not upload sample content (such as an excerpt); your Google Search preview settings control the amount that a user can preview.

The PDF file must not be password-protected, as this will prevent the file from processing.

To automatically generate a table of contents, include bookmarks in the PDF file.

ePub

The ePub file must contain the front cover image.

The ePub file must consist of the complete book. Do not upload sample content (such as an excerpt); your Google Search preview settings control the amount that a user can preview.

Which identifier to use:

If you upload files for a single book from the book's "Content" tab: You don't need to include the identifier in the filename. Otherwise, the identifier is necessary to associate the file with the correct book. The filename extension will be used to determine what kind of file you've uploaded.

If your books already have unique identifiers (such as an ISBN or a Google-assigned GGKEY): Replace [ISBN] in the example filenames above with the book's actual identifier. (For GGKEYs, you don't have to include the GGKEY: prefix.) If you have both a print and an electronic ISBN, we generally recommend naming your PDF files using the print ISBN, and naming the ePub files using the electronic ISBN. See more information about ISBNs.

If your books don't have unique identifiers: You can use your own filenames, replacing [ISBN] in the example filenames above with text of your choice. 10-digit or 13-digit numbers should be avoided, as they may be mistaken by our system to be ISBNs. We also recommend that you avoid using the underscore character ( _) except as noted in the examples (e.g., _interior or _frontcover).

Cover files

Cover files should be in JPEG, PDF, TIFF, or PNG format and have the appropriate filename extension.

How to upload files

Upload files for a single book (from the Content tab of the book's settings).

Upload files for as multiple books at the same time (from the Book Catalog, using the Advanced > Add multiple content files function).

Multiple files for a single book

For the following cases, you should submit all the required files in order to process your book:

a book split into multiple PDF files (e.g., ISBN_1of2.pdf and ISBN_2of2.pdf)

a PDF file without a cover accompanied by a separate cover image file (e.g., ISBN_interior.pdf and ISBN_frontcover.jpg)

If you are submitting a separate back cover image file (ISBN_backcover.jpg), we recommend that you upload it before you upload the content file (ISBN_interior.pdf).

If all the required files aren't submitted at the same time, they will be listed as "Pending" on the Content tab for the book and the content or cover will not process until all the expected files have been submitted. For example, ISBN_frontcover.pdf will remain in "Pending" status until ISBN_interior.pdf is uploaded.

How to update files

You can update a file by uploading the new version. It will overwrite the old version.

If you submit an updated file from the Book Catalog (using the Advanced > Add multiple content files function rather than from the specific book's Content tab), the updated file should either use the same filename as the original file, or use the identifier as a prefix (such as in the examples above). Using a different filename or a filename that doesn't contain the identifier will generate a new book listing in your Book Catalog. An exception exists for separate cover images in PDF files (see below).

Multi-part PDFs (e.g., ISBN_1of2.pdf and ISBN_2of2.pdf): You must re-submit all the files, even if not all of them are being updated.

A PDF file without the cover (e.g., ISBN_interior.pdf and ISBN_frontcover.jpg): You must re-submit the content (ISBN_interior.pdf) in order to trigger the processing of the most recent set of files. Alternatively, if you're updating the cover image with a PDF file and not changing any other files, name the file as ISBN_frontcoveronly.pdf.

File history

You can view a history of past submitted files by visiting your Book Catalog, clicking the book title, then going to the Content tab.

Only the most recent successfully processed file of each type (i.e., the most recent ePub file, the most recent PDF file, and the most recent cover file) will be used. At this time, there's no way to remove older records from a book's content files history.

Filenames listed in the history may differ from the filenames you used when submitting files, as any files submitted through the Content tab will be renamed to include the identifier in the filename. This won't interfere with the processing of your files.

Guided help with Google Books

The following articles may help you resolve your issue right away. If the articles don't address your issue, try the contact options below. You can quickly return to this page after visiting an article.

Still need help? To contact the support team, click below.

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